England looks set to launch a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup.
Plans are afoot to team up with Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland to host the tournament.
The bid has received support from the UK Government, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying it is the “right time” to “bring football home”.
If successful it would see the tournament return to England for the first time since the Three Lions lifted the famed Jules Rimet trophy in 1966.
But where would the closest potential tournament stadiums be for Epping Forest residents?
Below are the five closest stadia likely to be included in the bid – distances measured from Epping town.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham
Capacity: 62,303 – Distance: 13 miles
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: Action Images
The closest of the potential stadiums, this sparkling new arena was opened in April 2019, replacing Tottenham’s old home ground of more than 100 years, White Hart Lane.
The Tottenham Hotspur stadium is the third largest football ground in England and the largest club stadium in London.
The ground boasts the world's first dividing, retractable football pitch, which reveals a synthetic turf field underneath for NFL games hosted in London.
London Stadium, Stratford
Capacity: 60,000 – Distance: 18 miles
London Stadium. Photo: Action Images
Home to the mighty Hammers, the London Stadium was converted to a football ground following the London 2012 Olympics.
West Ham relocated to the stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after playing at The Boleyn Ground, often referred to as Upton Park, between 1904 and 2016.
The ground had held 80,000 during the Olympics but despite having 66,000 seat has an imposed reduced capacity of 60,000 for football under the terms of the lease.
Emirates Stadium, Lower Holloway
Capacity: 60,704 – Distance: 20 miles
Emirates Stadium. Photo: Action Images
There is trend emerging here. New grounds built by London clubs having moved from their spiritual homes.
After leaving Highbury in 2006, The Gunners moved into the Emirates Stadium - the fourth-largest football ground in England.
The entire stadium project cost the club £390 million.
Wembley Stadium, Wembley
Capacity: 90,000 – Distance: 30 miles
Wembley Stadium. Photo: Action Images
The English national team's home ground, well known for the famed arches and the iconic walk-way leading to the stadium.
The original Wembley Stadium – where England won the World Cup – was closed in 2000. At the time of closure it had a capacity of 82,000 but in the past had held up to 126,000.
The new stadium opened in 2007 on the site of the original ground and holds 90,000.
In addition to England home games and the FA Cup final, the stadium also hosts other major games in English football, including the season-opening FA Community Shield, the League Cup final, the FA Cup semi-finals, the Football League Trophy, the Football League play-offs, the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and the National League play-offs.
Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
Capacity: 30,500 – Distance: 55 miles
Stadium MK. Photo: Action Images
A surprise inclusion perhaps. But judging by England’s failed 2018 bid to host the World Cup, fans can expect Stadium MK to feature, rather than Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
Stadium MK, home to Milton Keynes Dons who were founded in controversial circumstances in 2004, taking Wimbledon F.C.'s place in league football.
The stadium has two tiers which hold a capacity of 30,500.
How good are England’s chances of winning the bid?
A feasibility study is under way and will continue before the formal bidding process begins next year. The Government’s backing includes a pledge of £2.8million towards a potential bid.
The home nations are expected to face fierce competition for the tournament from wit joint bids the order of the day.
One is expected from South American countries including Uruguay, which wants to mark the centenary of the inaugural tournament there.
China is also a possible bidder while Spain, Portugal and Morocco could team up.
Recent bids have not been encouraging. England failed with attempts to host the 2006 and 2018 tournaments. With the latter, optimism gave way to humiliation when it was revealed England’s bid, which was fronted by David Beckham, Prince William and David Cameron, received just two of 22 votes.
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